DAP polls about broader
challenges, not Guan Eng,
delegates told
Party veteran Charles Santiago says the CEC elections should not revolve around Lim Guan Eng but electing a leadership capable of navigating political complexities.
The DAP veteran said delegates must elect a leadership capable of navigating the complexities the party will face in the next general election (GE16).
Santiago warned that DAP faces significant hurdles in retaining non-Malay support, as many of them have become disillusioned with the unity government despite understanding the difficulties of governing under the current administration.
“The question is this: will they come back and support us the way they did in the last two or three general elections? That is a challenge we need to tackle going forward,” he told FMT.
The former Klang MP expressed disappointment that the central executive committee election campaign had been dominated by discussions about Lim Guan Eng’s leadership.
“Some are saying Lim is going to be chairman, but that cannot be the basis of our elections. The party has to move, with or without him,” he said.
Earlier today, Lim denied reports he was withdrawing from the CEC polls, asserting that he would not pull out from the race and would let his future be decided by the delegates instead.
Certain factions within DAP are advocating for Penang chief minister Chow Kon Yeow to take over as DAP chairman from Lim.
However, a significant number of members support Lim’s continued leadership, viewing him as a strong personality unafraid to stand up to PKR and Umno.
Santiago said DAP must remain committed to its core principles of fairness and justice as a social democratic party, while navigating the political realities in the unity government.
“When you are in government, the discussions and debates are different, and some compromises have to be made.
“This is where the party needs to focus – how it manoeuvres itself within the unity government and how much of its electoral promises have been realised,” he said.
With GE16 expected to be even more complex given DAP’s current relationship with former rival Umno, Santiago said the next leadership must be able to adapt to evolving political dynamics and bolster the party’s support base.
It is particularly important to engage young voters, especially the non-Malays, while strengthening efforts to reach out to the Malay community, he said.
“How much has the party done to bring non-Malays into PH and the unity government? And, concretely, what has been done to reach out to the Malay community?
“We need to say, ‘This is what we have done. We are offering a government that is just and people-oriented. Vote for us because of that, not just because you don’t like PAS’.”
Santiago said Pakatan Harapan needed to strengthen its position within the unity government and push for meaningful reforms to be carried out in the next couple of years.
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